tracked leaders, not fluent 6th and again 14th, driven to chase winner after 3 out until after next, ridden and no extra in 3rd before last
always prominent, went 2nd at 12th, joined leader 14th, driven to lead after 3 out, clear between last 2, ridden out flat, kept on
held up in touch, ridden after 5 out, never on terms, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
led, headed narrowly 11th, blundered and lost place next, behind from 15th, tailed off
behind most of way, mistake 5th, struggling 13th (water), tailed off
held up behind, headway and close up on inside 9th, joined leader next, led narrowly 11th, headed after 3 out, one pace next, ridden to take 2nd before last, kept on, no impression with winner
held up towards rear on outside, blundered badly 11th, not recover and pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, driven to chase leaders in 4th before 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression
A dual Grade 1 winner, Bristol De Mai has the highest rating of these and will be a warm-priced favourite despite a poor run in the King George at Kempton. He gave weight and a beating to subsequent Aintree winner Definitly Red in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in the autumn and trounced Tea For Two when winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock but this is no straightforward task. THE LAST SAMURI is getting 6lb and that puts him almost on a par with the grey according to ratings. Another crack at the Grand National is probably on the latter’s agenda but the conditions of this race have tempted Kim Bailey to have a crack at this level and his charge should go close. American was strongly fancied for the Ladbrokes Trophy last month having looked a smart novice last season but he was never travelling at Newbury and was pulled up. He has a bit to prove now but Theatre Guide could go well at a price and makes more appeal than Singlefarmpayment and Perfect Candidate.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Made most until mistake 10th, led again next, headed 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out, 6th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Might Bite (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Definitly Red (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-4) Jumped well, made all, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) hvy in Dec beating Cloudy Dream (11-3) by 7l, 4 ran.
Tea For Two 20-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, disputed second last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Might Bite (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 12th, no chance when pecked 16th (water), tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Buywise (10-8) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 16, 8 1/4l behind Present Man (11-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
American (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place slightly 11th (water) chased leaders, weakened 16th, behind and pulled up before 4 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Singlefarmpayment 5-1fav (11-3) Towards rear, headway on wide outside approaching 4 out 4 out, 5th and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Gold Present (11-3) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent early, chased leaders, lost place 5th, headway 11th, lost place again before 13th, closed 17th, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd before elbow, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Blaklion (11-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
